The American Flower Garden Directory

Podalyrias, about fourteen species of pretty Cape shrubs; foliage oblong, obovate, and silky-like; the flowers leguminose; colour blue or pink. P. serícea, P. styracifòlia, P. corúscans, P. argéntea, P. liparioídes, and P. subbiflòra, are the finest and most distinct species, and flower abundantly.

Petsoónias, about sixteen species of dwarf evergreen shrubs; leaves oblong, or lanceolate, hairy, or downy; flowers axillary and solitary; the pots should be well drained, and the plants in summer protected from the sun. P. hirsùta, P. móllis, P. teretifòlia, and P. lùcida, are the most distinct, and grow freely.

Pròteas, about forty-four species. The foliage of this genus is very diversified; flowers very large, terminale; stamens protected by an involucrum; many-leaved and imbricated; which is very persistent. P. cynaroídes has the largest flower, which is purple, green, and red. P. speciòsa, P. umbonàlis, once P. longifòlia, P. melaleùca, P. grandiflòra, P. coccínea, P. cenocárpa, P. pállens, P. formòsa, P. magnífica, P. speciòsa rúbra, and P. mellífera, will afford a very good variety. It is almost impossible to describe their true colour, it being so various; red, white, straw, brown, green, and purple, are most predominant, and frequently to be seen in the same flower; the plants must be well drained; and during warm weather be careful that they are not neglected in water, for if they are suffered to droop, they seldom recover. For this reason the pots ought not to stand in the strong sun; the plants can bear it, but to the roots it is injurious.

Pultenæas, about forty species, pretty little dwarf growing shrubs of New South Wales; flowers small, leguminose, all yellow, with a little red outside of the petals. P. villòsa, P. obcordàta, P. argéntea, P. plumòsa, P. fléxilis, shining leaved, fragrant; P. cándida, and P. strìcta, are all fine species, and esteemed in collections. The leaves are all small; they require an airy exposure, and the pots drained.

Rhododéndrons (Rose tree), a magnificent genus, and contains some of the most superb and gigantic plants that adorn the Green-house. All the Azàleas (except A. procúmbens) both Chinese and American, have been arranged under this genus. At present the most admired is R. arbòreum, with varieties. R. arbòreum has deep scarlet flowers, with dark spots and flakes campanulated, and in large clusters; leaves lanceolate, acute, rough, and silvery beneath. R. arbòreum albúm is very rare. R. arbòreum supérbum, flowers same shape as arbòreum, colour bright scarlet; foliage one third larger, but not silvery beneath; grows freely, and generally thought the finest variety. R. arbòrea álte-Clàrance is also very superb. There are several other varieties of minor note. A Green-house without some of the scarlet varieties of that plant, is deficient of a flower whose beauty and grandeur are beyond the highest imagination. It is a native of Nepaul in India, and when found by Dr. Wallach awakened the ambition of every cultivator and connoisseur in Europe. There are several other species brought from that country lately, but none of them has yet flowered. They are highly valued from the productions of the above; the species are R. campanulàtum, R. anthopògon, and R. cinnamòmeum. This is named from the colour of the leaves, which are very peculiar and very handsome; the flowers are said to be rose-coloured. These three last cannot be purchased under an immense price; the others have been rarely seen in our collections, but another year or two will make them more plentiful. Their beauty of flower is beyond description. The pots should be well drained, and if they are large, put several pieces of sandy stones or potshreds around the side, for the fine fibres delight to twine about such, being mountainous plants.

Roéllas, pretty leafy shrubs, with blue terminale funnel-shaped flowers, lip-spreading; R. cilliàta, R. spicàta, and R. pedunculàta, are the finest of the genus. The pots must be well drained, and care taken that they are not over-watered.

Sálvia (Sage), is an extensive genus of soft-wooded, shrubby, or herbaceous plants; very few of them do well in the Green-house, and many of them are very trifling, having no other attraction than the flower, and those of the tender species, when compared with S. élegans, S. spléndens, S. cærúlea, and S. coccìnea, (which in artificial climates constitute the standard of the genus,) are not worth cultivation. These last mentioned, if kept in the Green-house, will merely keep in life, but a situation in the Hot-house would cause them to flower frequently. The best method to adopt with the summer flowering kinds, is to plant them in the garden in May; they will grow strong and flower abundantly, and in the fall they can be lifted, and preserved during winter in pots. They neither grow nor flower so well as when planted out, and even a slip planted in the ground in moist weather will root in a few days, grow, and flower in a few weeks. S. spléndens is the best to select for the purpose. S. aùrea, S. paniculàta, and S. índica, are fine species. The latter is white and blue, with large leaves; flowers monopetalous, and irregular; colour generally red or blue in spiked whorls. All will grow easily with encouragement.

Senècios. Some species of this genus are pestiferous weeds all over the world. They are found near the limits of perpetual snow, where neither tree nor shrub is able to rear its head. Yet there are three species that are neat little plants, and are worthy of a situation, viz. S. grandiflòrus, S. venústus, and S. cineráscens, with the double white and red variety of S. élegans. The two last varieties are free flowering, but if allowed to grow several years, they become unsightly. Being very easily propagated, a few cuttings of them should be put in, in September, and in two weeks they will strike root, when they may be put in pots to keep through the winter, and then planted in the garden, continuing to renew them. The other mentioned species should be frequently done the same way. Do not keep them damp during winter, or they will rot off. Keep them in an airy exposure.

Schótias, a beautiful genus of six species, which will require the warmest part of the Green-house to keep them. The foliage is handsome; leaves compound: leaflets oval-lanceolate, and in pairs from six to ten; S. speciòsa, crimson, flowers nearly papilionaceous, and in bunches, the most superb of the genus. S. alàta, S. latifòlia, once Omphalòbium Schótia, and S. tamarindifólia, are the finest; the flowers of the others are red. The pots require to be drained, and the plants protected from the hot sun.

Swainsònas, four species of free flowering, soft wooded shrubs, natives of New South Wales. S. galigifòlia, S. coronillæfòlia, and S. astragalifòlia, are red, purple, and white; leguminose flowers in spikes from the axils, are of easy culture, and deserving of a situation; the foliage is pinnate; leaflets ovate, acute.

Scòttias, three species of valuable plants; S. dentàta, with scarlet leguminose blossoms; leaves opposite, ovate, accuminate, serrate; S. angustifòlia has brown flowers; S. trapezifòrmus, leaves ovate, acute, serrulate. We do not know the colour of its flowers; the pots must be well drained, and the plants kept in the warmest part of the Green-house, and near the light.

Sparrmánnias, are strong growing Green-house shrubs. S. africàna, is a plant very common in our collections, with large three lobed cordate leaves, hairs on both sides; flowers from March to July. S. rugósa. The leaves are rugged; flowers of both are white, in a kind of corymb, supported by a long footstalk; buds drooping, flowers erect. There is a plant known in our collections, as the free-flowering Sparrmánnia, (which is Entèlia arboréscens,) and is easily distinguished from Sparrmánnia by the leaves being cordate, accuminate, and otherwise, by all its filaments being fertile, and the flowers more branching, and blooming from November to June, profusely; very easily cultivated, and desirable.

Sphærolòbiums, only two species of leafless plants, with yellow and red leguminose flowers, which proceed from the young shoots. S. vimíneum and S. médium. They flower freely, and are easily cultivated. The old wood should be frequently cut out where it is practicable. Drain the pots.

Sprengélia incarnàta,, the only species, a very pretty plant, allied to Epàcris; small foliage, long, accuminate; flowers small, pink, bearded, and in close spikes; grows freely, delighting in shade. The pots must be well drained, and the plants, when dormant, watered sparingly, for if they get sodden about the roots, they very seldom recover.

Stylidíums, six species of pretty litte plants, with small linear leaves, and remarkable for the singular elasticity of the style or column, which, when the flower is newly expanded, lays to one side, and on being touched with a pin starts with violence to the opposite side. S. graminifòlium, S. fruticòsum, S. laricifòlium, and S. adnàtum, are all free flowering; flowers in spikes, very small; colour light and dark pink; blooms from April to July. S. adnàtum is half herbaceous, and should, when growing, be kept nigh the glass, or it will be drawn, and the flowers become of a pale colour. They are all of easy cultivation.

Styphèlias, seven species of very showy flowers, with mucronate leaves; corolla in a long tubular form, having several bundles of hairs in it; segments reflex and bearded. S. tubiflòra, crimson, S. triflòra, crimson and green; S. adscéndens, and S. longifòlia, are beautiful species. They grow freely, and should be well drained, as too much water is very hurtful to them. In summer they ought not to be much exposed to the hot sun, or the foliage will become brown.

Salpiglóssis, four species of fine herbaceous Green-house plants, natives of Chili. The flowers are tubular and campanulate. S. pícta, flowers white and blue painted; S. atropurpùrea, flowers dark purple, and S. isnuàta, flowers crimson, are superb, and if planted in the garden during summer will flower profusely. They must be lifted in October, and taken under protection.

Tagètes lùcida is found in many of our collections. The leaves are simple, oblong, and finely serrated. When rubbed by the hand, they have an agreeable fragrance; the flowers are syngenesious, small, and in terminale bunches. It is herbaceous; and when about an inch grown should be divided and potted into five inch pots. Repot it again about the first of June. It keeps in flower from July to November.

Testudinària, Elephant's foot, or Hottentot's bread, two species remarkable for their appearance. The root or bulb, if it may be so called, is of a conical shape, and divided into transverse sections. Those of one foot diameter are computed to be 150 years of age. It is a climbing herbaceous plant, with entire reniforme leaves of no beauty; flowers small; colour green. The pots must be well drained, for when the plant is inactive it is in danger of suffering from moisture, and ought not to get any water. T. Elephántiphes and T. montàna are the species, natives of the Cape of Good Hope, and require the warmest part of the house.

Táxus nucífera, is the only species that requires protection, and bears a small acorn; flowers are trifling; an evergreen, with ovate, lanceolate foliage, thickly set on the wood; will grow in any situation. There is a plant in our collections known as T. chinénsis or T. elongáta, which is Podocárpus elongàtus. It has lanceolate leaves, erect growing, and very hardy; flowers mœonacious, and of no estimation except to the curious.

Telopèa speciosíssimus, is the only species, and was once called Embóthrium speciosíssimus. It is now called Telopèa in allusion to the brilliant crimson flowers, which from their great size are seen at a large distance, and which render it one of the most conspicuous productions of New South Wales. The leaves are oblong, deeply toothed, veiny, and smooth; wood strong; flower ovate, connate, and terminale, and of considerable duration. There ought to be a specimen of it in every collection. The pots must be well drained, and the plant in the extreme heat of summer not too much exposed to the sun.

Templetònia, a very pretty genus, containing only two species. T. retùsa is an erect growing shrub, with wedge-shaped green leaves. T. gláuca, leaves glacuous, blunt, and a little apiculate; flowers of both scarlet. They are leguminose plants of free growth, and should be well drained; blooming from April to June.

Tristànias, seven species of evergreen shrubs. Several of them require to be very large before they flower. T. neriifòlia is a very neat little plant, and flowers abundantly; colour yellow; shape star-like, and in clusters; leaves lanceolate and opposite. T. conférta, white flowers in spikes, leaves alternate. T. suavèolens, sweet-scented; flowers yellow. They are all of very easy culture.

Verbénas. A few of these are showy, herbaceous, Green-house plants. V. chamædryfòlia, lately known as V. Melíndres, is a beautiful plant of a procumbent habit; flowers brilliant scarlet, in glomerated heads from the axils of the young shoots; blooming from April to October. A large plant will appear as a solid mass of scarlet. V. lambértii and V. pulchélla are also very pretty; colour, rose and lilac. A very good method of treating these plants, is, to plant them in the garden in April; and give them copious waterings in dry weather, and they will flower profusely, lifting some of the plants before frost, to preserve them during winter. They ought to be allowed to run according to their nature; for if tied up, they will not do so well, being in that way too much exposed. There is a plant known in our collections as Verbéna triphylla, which is Aloysia citriodòra. The flowers are in long spikes, very small, and pale purple. The celebrity of the plant is in the foliage, which is linear, lanceolate, ternate, and it has the most agreeable fragrance in the vegetable world. It is of very easy culture, and has been known to survive the winter, in open air, in Philadelphia. It is deciduous, and would do to plant in the garden during summer, lifting it again before frost, and putting it under protection through winter. When large before it begins to grow, in spring cut it into a neat shape or form.

Vibúrnums. A few of these are very ornamental evergreen shrubs, and almost hardy. V. tìnus is the well known Laurestine, (or what is commonly called Laurestinus,) is of the easiest culture; flowers small white, and in large flattened panicles; blooming from February to May, and universally esteemed. It will stand the winter by a little protection, but the flower buds being formed in the fall, the intense frost destroys them; consequently, it will not flower except by the buds, which sometimes form early in summer. V. lùcidum is a good species, and superior in flower and foliage to the former, but does not flower so freely, when the plants are small. When they grow large, they flower profusely. There is a desirable variegated variety. V. odoratíssimum has smooth evergreen, oblong, elliptic, distantly toothed, leaves, and frequently a stripe in them, is sweet-scented, and a free flowerer. V. hirsútum has flowers similar to the above; foliage ovate, with rough brown hairs on both sides, and very characteristic. V. stríctum variagàtum is a very fine variety, and upright growing. These plants are all very desirable, blooming early in spring, and continuing for several months; all easily cultivated.

Viminària denudàta, the only species. This plant is remarkable for its twiggy appearance, but it has no foliage, except when growing from seed. It has at the extremity of the twigs or shoots, an ovate, lanceolate, leaf, disappearing when the plant grows old; the flowers are small, yellow, coming out of the young shoots, to the astonishment of the beholder. It grows freely.

Virgília capènsis is a beautiful cape shrub, with a compound leaf of twenty-five leaflets, ovate, lanceolate, edges hairy; flowers in spikes at the axils; colour blue and leguminose. The pots require to be well drained, and the plants protected from the sun.

Volkamèria japónica. There is a plant known in our collections under that name, which is Clerodéndron fràgrans múltiplex. It keeps in a good Green-house, and flowers well, frequently blooming during winter, and if planted in the garden during summer, will flower superbly. The flowers have a delicious fragrance; but if the foliage is rubbed with the hand, the smell is not so pleasant. The leaves are large, round, ovate, and tomentose; flowers corymbose, compact, and terminale. There are several fine plants in Clerodéndron belonging to the Hot-house. This plant will not bear much fumigation.

Witsènias, four species. W. corymbòsa is a plant that has stood in high estimation ever since it was known, but unfortunately there is a very inferior plant, Aristèa cyànea, got into our collections under that name. The panicles of W. corymbòsa is quite smooth; those of Aristèa are hairy, which is itself sufficient to detect them; but otherwise the appearance of W. corymbòsa is much stronger, and more erect growing, not inclining to push at the roots so much as Aristèa. The foliage is lanceolate and amplexicaule, the leaves having much the nature and appearance of Iris. The plant is of easy culture, and blooms from November to April; colour fine blue. The true one has come into the country lately. W. ramòsa is a very fine species, similar to the above; flowers yellow and blue; plant branching.

Westríngias, a genus of four species, very like the common Rosemary. W. rosmarinifórmis, leaves lanceolate, and silvery beneath; W. longifòlia is similar; both have small white silvery flowers, and are easily cultivated.

Zàmias, about twenty species, eight of which belong to this compartment. The foliage is greatly admired, and is in large fronds, with oblique, lanceolate leaflets. Several of them glaucous. It bears heads of flowers of a brown colour in the centre of the plant, very like large pine cones. Z. hórrida, the finest, Z. púngens, Z. spíralis, and Z. latifòlia, are the most conspicuous. They must be kept in the warmest part of the Green-house; and give them large well drained pots. They are imported from the Cape of Good Hope. All the plants herein named requiring to be drained. In preparing the pots, place first a piece of broken pot, or any similar substitute, with the convex side on the hole of the pot, and then put in a few, or a handful, (according to the size of the pot,) of shivers of broken pots, or round gravel, about the size of garden pease. Those that we have mentioned in this Repotting, as to be done in this, or beginning of next month, is not intended to apply to plants in general, large and small, but to those that are young, and require encouragement, or to those that were not shifted last autumn. The roots must not be disturbed, but the ball turned out entire; and put as much earth as will raise the ball within about an inch of the rim of the pot. Press the earth down around it with a thin-narrow piece of wood, frequently shaking it that no vacancy may be left. If the roots are rotten, or otherwise injured, take all such off. If this be the case, the plant will be sickly. Give it a new pot of a smaller size, administering water moderately until there are visible signs of fresh growth. The plants must not be disturbed while flowering; let the repotting be done afterwards. Plants are, at certain stages of growth, if in good health, in such a state that no one can err in shifting them when desirous to hasten their growth. Those plants that make two or more growths during the summer may be repotted in the interim of any of these growths, and all others just before they begin to push in the spring; that is, when the wood buds are perceptibly swelled. Never saturate with water fresh potted plants. There are many kinds that, without injury, could be repotted when growing; but it requires an experienced operator to decide. It would be of no material service to enumerate them here. When done potting, tie all up neatly with stakes rather higher than the plant, that the new shoots may be tied thereto during their stage of growth, to prevent them from being destroyed by the wind. There may be many that do not require repotting, but would be benefited by a top-dressing. This should be done by probing off all the surface earth down to the roots, replacing it with fresh compost, suitable to the nature of the plant.

When the above is done, arrange all the plants in proper order, and syringe them clean; but if there are any of the Green-fly, they must be fumigated previous to syringing. Take an opportunity, on the first fine day, to wash out all the pavement of the house, which should be made dry before the evening if the nights are cold. Thus every part of the house will be in order before the hurry of the garden commences.

OF ENARCHING OR GRAFTING BY APPROACH, also termed ABLACTATION

In this method of grafting, the scion is not separated from the parent plant until it is firmly united with the stock; consequently, they must stand contiguously. We intend the following method to apply directly to Caméllias, as they are the principal plants in the Green-house that are thus worked. The criterion for the operation is, just as the plants begin to grow, either in spring or mid-summer. Place the stock contiguous to the plant where the graft or enarch is to be taken from. If the branches, where the intended union is to take place, do not grow at equal heights, a slight stage may be erected to elevate the pot that holds the lower. Take the branch that is to be enarched, (the wood of last or previous year is the most proper,) and bring it in contact with the stock; mark the parts where they are to unite, so as to form a pointed arch. In that part of the branch which is to rest against the stock, pare off the bark and part of the wood to about two or three inches in length, and in the side of the stock which is to receive the graft, do the same, that the inside rind of each may be exactly opposite, which is the first part where a union will take place. Bind them firmly and neatly together with strands of Russia matting, and protect the joint from the air by a coat of close composition; clay of the consistency of thick paint, turpentine, or wax, will equally answer. Finish by fastening the grafted branch to the head of the stock or a rod. Many practitioners make a slit or tongue into the enarch and stock, but we find it unnecessary, more tedious, and likewise more danger in breaking. Caméllias are also grafted, and budded, but these two operations require great experience and continued attention, and seldom prove so successful as enarching. When they have perfectly taken, which will be after the first growth is over, begin to separate them by cutting the scion a little at three different periods, about a week apart, separating it at the third time. If the head is intended to be taken off the stock, do it in like manner after the second growth is over. By the above method, many kinds can be grown on the same stock. The same plan applies to all evergreens.